Radiation protection incident at the National Centre for Research and Restoration in French Museums (C2RMF) resulting in the localised irradiation of a worker
On 24 July 2025, the National Centre for Research and Restoration in French Museums reported to the ASNR a significant radiation protection event related to the localised irradiation of a worker by the beam of the AGLAE particle accelerator, used for analysing works of art and ancient objects.
The radiation caused an erythema at the beam impact point on the worker's arm, i.e. a first-degree radiation burn characterised by reddening of the skin, which is typical of a deterministic effect of ionising radiation.
The worker was taken into care by his general health doctor and the occupational health doctor, with support from a specialist doctor from the reference regional health centre for nuclear and radiological risk and ASNR experts for dose reconstruction.
The ASNR conducted an on-site inspection on 30 July 2025. This inspection examined the initial causes identified by the C2RMF, which include a malfunction of the safety control system required by the standards applicable to particle accelerators in industrial and research applications (NF M 62-105). Thus, the particle beam was not interrupted by the safety control system when the worker entered the experimental room.
Furthermore, the inspection revealed that the radiation protection culture could be improved, particularly with regard to the prevention of risks associated with the particle accelerator.
The inspection also made it possible to clarify the conditions under which the worker was exposed, which will enable the ASNR to provide the associated physicians with a reconstruction of the received dose.
Following the inspection on 30 July 2025 and the report of a significant radiation protection event, the C2RMF will have to submit to the ASNR a detailed analysis of the event, the root causes that led to the incident and the corrective actions taken and planned. It will also have to provide answers to the various requests made in the follow-up letter of the inspection.
Due to the occurrence of deterministic effects related to exposure, this event has been rated as level 3 on the INES scale (International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, graded from 0 to 7 in order of increasing severity).
The ASNR will ensure that the facility meets back the safety standards and that the experience feedback is properly taken into account by the establishment. It will ensure that this feedback is shared both nationally and internationally, given the level of rating of this event on the INES scale.
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